June, 2019

• 1 June

  A Response to Claims of Illegal Russian Nuclear Testing

  In prepared remarks delivered Wednesday at a Hudson Institute event, Lt. Gen. Robert P. Ashley, Jr., the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, stated that “The United States believes that Russia probably is not adhering to its nuclear testing moratorium in a manner consistent with the ‘zero-yield’ standard” outlined in …

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• 1 June

  U.S.: Russia May Be Testing Low-Yield Nukes, In Violation Of Treaty

  A top U.S. military official has said that U.S. intelligence agencies believe Russia is likely conducting low-yield nuclear testing that may be violation of a major international treaty.

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May, 2019

• 30 May

  Tensions Grow Between Russia, Iran in Syria

  Russian military police last week reportedly carried out a raid against Iranian-backed militiamen stationed at Syria’s Aleppo international airport, local media reported.

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• 30 May

  Hezbollah paying the price of Iranian obstinance

  Analysis: U.S. sanctions on Iran are taking toll on its Lebanon-based proxy: fighters’ salaries are sliced, assets sold off and even prized Al-Manar TV station is laying off staff; meanwhile, the group itself has not escaped American scrutiny

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• 30 May

  WHAT IS U.S. POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST?

  The only consistency in the Trump administration’s Middle East policy has been to support autocratic regimes and strongmen, as it has in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.The Trump administration’s top national security officials met with Congress multiple times in May to discuss how the President interprets the threat posed by Iran.U.S. …

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• 30 May

  Israel Fires Missile on Syrian Military Site

  An Israeli airstrike on a Syrian anti-aircraft position near the Golan Heights Monday killed one soldier and wounded three, Syria said. Israel called the rocket strike on Tal al-Shaar retaliation for a Syrian missile fired at an Israeli military jet it said was a routine flight.

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• 30 May

  Surge in US military presence in Mideast creates new risks: Russia FM

  Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned that any increase in the US military presence in the Middle East would result in new risks. “As for [US] President [Donald] Trump’s decision to send 1,500 troops in addition to those deployed in the Middle East and North Africa region, well, you …

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• 30 May

  Japan Agrees to Buy 105 US F-35 Fighter Jets – Trump

  US President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, are currently paying a four-day state visit to Japan. Donald Trump announced on Monday that Japan plans to buy 105 US-made stealth warplanes; this would make it home to the largest F35 fleet of any US ally.

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• 28 May

  Senior German diplomat in Tehran for nuclear deal talks

  A senior German diplomat headed Thursday to Tehran to press Iran to continue to respect the landmark nuclear deal, despite the unilateral withdrawal of the U.S. and increasing pressure from Washington.

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• 28 May

  Iraqi intelligence arrest senior Islamic State leader in Anbar

  Iraqi military intelligence services arrested on Wednesday a senior Islamic State leader in the western province of Anbar. The Iraqi Military Intelligence Directorate, in a statement, said that its troops “arrested Abu Anas al-Samarei, the military adviser of an Islamic State commander, who was responsible for collecting weapons from citizens, …

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